The tired horse plodded slowly alongside the equally Infineon on the long path that led away from one unremarkable town and on to another. The trio that were making the trip had started out in the early morning; Infineon, Levitas and the horse that had been lent to Infineon for the journey. The day seemed to go on forever as the pale sun slowly climbed to its zenith and crawled down towards the horizon in front of Infineon. The small party had stopped only once in the day in order to feed and water both the horse and its fellow travellers, and to take a short break from the monotonous walk. However, as the sun neared the horizon and the orange light of the sun began to filter lower and lower through the branches of the thin forest that surrounded the path, Infineon began to look for a place to stop for the night.

The trip was a simple one, a two-day traverse through thinly populated and generally unremarkable birch forests between one of Infineon’s preaching sites and another; a safe trip by anyone’s standards. It was the relative safety of the lands that had lead Infineon to be asked by the local merchant to escort his horse with him on his route through the countryside. The merchant had fallen ill before his monthly traverse and was left recovering in the town Infineon had just left, but had entrusted Infineon with his cargo that needed to change hands in the next town over. Infineon had assured the merchant that even if a highwayman were to show up in these peaceful lands, he would be more than capable of dealing with them. While Infineon had not seen the cargo, he assumed most of it was relatively inexpensive, as he had been instructed to simply tie it to the horse and take no special precaution with it. All the goods except for a small chest, which apparently held something of value; Infineon carried this in the bottom of his pack, and had been told to guard it using all possible measures.

As the sun first touched the hills on the horizon, Infineon decided on a location and made camp. His chosen glade had a small estuary running through it, a small but swift flowing stream that fed into a much larger river a long way downstream. The glade was carpeted with the brown leaves that marked the start of the autumn, and was large enough to fit a woodland house with room to spare. Tying the horse to a tree next to the river, Infineon strung his own canvass between two trees, lit a small fire and finally entered a state of meditation and prayer for his safe passage that day. The glade was quiet all around, with nought but the last remnants of the forest’s familiar noises and the rustle of the river to break the stillness. Infineon felt himself drifting off to sleep when he found that he felt uneasy and unable to sleep; something was wrong.

Infineon took several moments to figure out what had caught his attention, before he suddenly realized. From a small thicket of trees on the edge of the clearing, not a noise had been heard since Infineon had arrived at the campsite, which meant that either someone or something was lying in wait for him here, or there was some other reason why the birds were avoiding those trees. Picking himself up from the dirt where he sat, Infineon projected his voice across the clearing where it would be easily audible by anyone on the fringes of the clearing.

“Show yourself! If you have business with me or the goods I protect, then step forward and face me.”

Keeping a neutral posture, Infineon nonetheless readied the incantation that would open a rift and summon his weapon to him in an instant; it never hurt to take precautions, and if it did turn out that no-body was here, none would be the wiser. From his right Infineon heard a rustle of wings as Levitas took to the skies, she would be his first warning of anything sudden or dangerous; rare is the occasion that you can ambush a bird, and even rarer the occasion when you can ambush a bird silently.---------------Feel free to enter either from the thicket of trees or not, it’s up to youLevitas is circling the clearingStress: 0 (0/4)

_________________

"Little solace comes to those who grieve/When thoughts keep drifting, when walls keep shifting/And this great blue world of ours seems like a house of leaves/Moments before the wind." ~House of Leaves

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:32 amPosts: 485Location: The eye of every storm in this game apparently.

The truth was Morgoth had heard rumors his old friend might be ferrying useless items from one place to another but a warrior of Infineons rank taking menial labor he must be carrying something of value. His curiosity over coming his good sense he made his way through the forest of DI. Reveling at his progress in shadow meddling. As evening began to fall he approached a glade. Leaning against a tree he hide himself as he heard footsteps approach.

His informant had just been paid well for his knowledge. As the rumors were quite true, he was Infineon a priest of a well re-known god ferrying goods for the commoners of this land. A grin pursed his lips as he watched the elf go about the tasks of a normal camp site. Setting up his tent setting a fire. All and all a very routine event-less day, until. The elf sat to trance as all elves must and finally noticed Morgoth's presence as it were.

“Show yourself! If you have business with me or the goods I protect, then step forward and face me.”

Resting a hand on the hilt of shadow Morgoth step out of the shadow of the trees and into the flickering light of the fire. He eyed his old companion looking for what he knew must be close by. Glanced at the tent and shrugged losing his armor slightly should this come to blows.

I hear your some kind of pack mule know friend. Simple content to ferry goods for the common folk of these lands from one place to another. Where's your ambition? I thought more of your skill the last time we met but as you can see I've Improved as well. In fact I've been watching you for near a hour now. You just noticed?

The haughty grin still pursed the princes lips. He was looking for a shiver or some kind of rise he was more than ready to parry a blow should it come. Besides the night is young what would have been the fun in slitting the other adventures throat and taking the loot that way?

_________________A perfect storm of action and reaction no thought no will can stop his dream.Myrie, of the night

Hey Az, hope you had a good christmas. I’ll be away until the 17th of Jan, so unlikely to post until then. Feel free to post a reply and I’ll try to get a reply in before then! Best wishes for the new year.LSS-----------------From the thicket of trees a familiar form emerged. Infineon’s eyes narrowed as he tried to place who it was that was standing before him, before a name finally clicked in his memory. Morgoth was his name, an old acquaintance from a small altercation in the woods near the Great Cathedral. As Infineon remembered, that fight could have been ugly if a strange turn of events had not ended up with Infineon assisting Morgoth with some sort of rescue mission. Nonetheless, Infineon knew little about this man save that he was a swordsman, and a talented one at that from what Infineon had seen in their brief defence of a mysterious lady named Katherine. The fact that Infineon was acquainted with this apparition did nothing to detract from his suspicion about what he had been waiting for in this clearing…

“I hear you’re some kind of pack mule now friend. Simply content to ferry goods for the common folk of these lands from one place to another, where is your ambition? I thought more of your skill the last time we met but as you can see I've improved as well. In fact, I've been watching you for nearly an hour now, you just noticed?"

The dark elf spoke confidently and with what Infineon heard as an almost mocking tone as he walked fully into the open. Infineon raised his eyebrow as he noticed both the hand on the hilt of Morgoth’s sword and the way he was tense; ready for an encounter. Fortunately, Infineon was on the other side of the stream from Morgoth, so a sneak attack was highly unlikely. Questions needed to be answered anyway, so Infineon refrained from summoning Artemis immediately.

“And I hear you’ve become a standard, run of the mill highwayman these days, friend. I’m sure when we last met you had more honour and dignity than that.” Infineon retorted with a straight face, watching Morgoth’s face carefully for anything at all.

“In fact, your presence here begs the question of how you came to hear I would be stopping here at all. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that you’ve found me of all people on this route; it’s almost as if you had some personal agenda with me…I should hope that I am wrong…”

With those words still fresh on his lips Infineon felt more and more like the chance of a peaceful resolution to this encounter was never really present in the first place. With a sigh he made ready to draw Artemis from the air, he just wished that he didn't mean to.-------------Infineon continues to face you across the streamLevitas continues to circleStress: 0 (0/4)

_________________

"Little solace comes to those who grieve/When thoughts keep drifting, when walls keep shifting/And this great blue world of ours seems like a house of leaves/Moments before the wind." ~House of Leaves

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:32 amPosts: 485Location: The eye of every storm in this game apparently.

“And I hear you’ve become a standard, run of the mill highwayman these days, friend. I’m sure when we last met you had more honour and dignity than that.”

The elf taunted him back no surprise there. Though he couldn't help but let his grin slip a little his face more serious now. The elf had call into question his honor and dignity. The core a samurai's oath is to defend the helpless stay true to your goals and to Fight with your weapon as an extension of your body. It stung that his friend would question him so but then again he'd started the verbal repartee so he can't fault the man for repaying in kind.

In fact, your presence here begs the question of how you came to hear I would be stopping here at all. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that you’ve found me of all people on this route; it’s almost as if you had some personal agenda with me…I should hope that I am wrong…”

His face completely serious now Morgoth turned his glance toward the tent;

"Well I've heard from a friend the chest your carrying contains a certain jewel. One whose powers maybe the only thing that will allow me to attain the power I need to end the witch who marred my flesh."

A grimace cross the drow's face as he forced out those last words. The topic while old was not one he liked talking about in fact it was probably the only thing he liked less than his honor being questioned. He's goals while not the purest were those of a man set on his path, the white witch wouldn't let him sleep so she had to be dealt with. She haunted his dreams still, and he knew not what he could do about it. He didn't want to hinder his new pack with his weakness. This meant that he must gain new power, a power like no other a jewel that would make him near god like. He'd seen what joshua's jewels had done to his body. That man was a monster and he need that type of strength if he was to overcome her.

Though rumors state she passed into the mist and his goal was a lost cause. The fickle minds of tavern folk were easily addled. He knew she was out there even if she'd changed form. He's find the cause of his problems and end them the only way he knew how. He had no real qualms with Infineon and didn't particular want to tangle with this caster from what he'd already seen but the fact was that he may have no choice.

"Hand over the chest and there will be no trouble a source is a source and I can't reveal him due to my oath's as you well know. He's protect just as you are now, don't raise your weapon against me unless your certain you can take me in combat I'd rather not hurt a friend again.

_________________A perfect storm of action and reaction no thought no will can stop his dream.Myrie, of the night

Apologies on how long this took. I can finally log on, woo.-----------"Well I've heard from a friend the chest you’re carrying contains a certain jewel. One whose powers may be the only thing that will allow me to attain the power I need to end the witch who marred my flesh. Hand over the chest and there will be no trouble, a source is a source and I can't reveal him due to my oaths as you well know. He's protect just as you are now, don't raise your weapon against me unless your certain you can take me in combat I'd rather not hurt a friend again.”

Infineon looked incredulously at Morgoth for a couple of seconds, trying to figure out whether he was joking or not. When he decided that he was not, Infineon laughed a slightly disappointed laugh; genuinely amused that he was now being held up by an old acquaintance. It certainly wasn’t a first for Infineon, but out of his acquaintances, he had certainly not expected Morgoth to become a highwayman. Clearly his moral code and honour allowed for certain…necessary infractions…Perhaps they had more in common than Infineon had thought.

Nonetheless, Infineon turned to face his now guaranteed opponent and slashed the air with his hand, drawing a crackling rend in the air from which he pulled Artemis. While spinning the halberd around with one hand to re-acquaint himself with its characteristics, Infineon called out his response to Morgoth.

“My friend, you seem to have mistaken me for someone far more easily cowed than myself; did you learn nothing of me from what time we spent in company? If you think I’m just going to give up whatever it is that this merchant has entrusted to me, you’re going to be sorely disappointed, I too have honour to protect and a reputation to uphold.”

“Besides, what fun would there be if I just gave it to you? If you want your prize then you’re going to have to earn it the hard way.”

With that, Infineon exploded into motion across the open space [Lightning Speed], water exploding out from either side of him as he dashed across the river towards Morgoth. With his blade still trailing water droplets from the stream in an arc behind it, Infineon slashed from low to his right up towards Morgoth’s chest, aiming to impact just below the ribcage on a shallow angle. While not a particularly dangerous attack, Infineon wished to test just how committed to the fight Morgoth really was; after all, Infineon too had no real desire to fight.----------Stress: 0 (0/4)

_________________

"Little solace comes to those who grieve/When thoughts keep drifting, when walls keep shifting/And this great blue world of ours seems like a house of leaves/Moments before the wind." ~House of Leaves

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:32 amPosts: 485Location: The eye of every storm in this game apparently.

“My friend, you seem to have mistaken me for someone far more easily cowed than myself; did you learn nothing of me from what time we spent in company? If you think I’m just going to give up whatever it is that this merchant has entrusted to me, you’re going to be sorely disappointed, I too have honour to protect and a reputation to uphold. Besides, what fun would there be if I just gave it to you? If you want your prize then you’re going to have to earn it the hard way.”

Regret for what I'm about to do will not change my mind Infineon. You've been a friend once and that won't leave my mind either. I'll give you no quarter and ask for none in return.

The wind picked up and the grass rustled in the clearing as the mexican stand off taking place waited for the first assault. As the tensions mounted Morgoth knew he couldn't wait like he'd wanted. He knew his inpatients might cost him his life one of these days but today wasn't that day. Morgoth slid shadow from it's sheath and stepping forward, then readied himself for the caster to rush him; When Infineon burst forward. He let his smile fade and locked in his eye's on the shoulders of his opponent. A word is all it'd take to match the wind mages speed. This gave the fighter hope that the treasure he sought wasn't out of reach. His breathing changed and he spoke,

Accelero

With that his speed jewel began to glow, he knew what he must do. Side stepping and letting the shaft of the polearm slide fruitlessly under his arm he turned pulling shadow quickly towards Infineon's neck slicing at an angle downwards. [Spinning Blade] Aiming high was a risk worth taking should this blow land the elf would be at his mercy or headless. He didn't want to fight anymore than the elf but why drag this out when he could make this as painless as possible. He knew that this attack had to be a test of his determination why else would the elf blindly charge him. Then again Infineon hadn't demonstrated an particular skill in ranged combat and as such had shown his weakness. Morgoth knew that the range on the caster's polearm surpassed his own but that's where the gap was limited in close proximity he'd be forced to retreat or cast to attack.

-----Spinning Blade [1x remaining]Speed Jewel: 1/8

_________________A perfect storm of action and reaction no thought no will can stop his dream.Myrie, of the night

The blade of Artemis slashed up and across to its practically stationary target, looking like it was going to cleave Morgoth in half if he didn't do something about it. Unsurprisingly of course, and in a style well befitting Morgoth, he did something about it exceptionally efficiently.

A gem set into the chestplate of Morgoth's leather armour began to shine with an exceptional hue of colours and almost immediately Infineon found it difficult to track his opponents movements. Twirling away to Infineon's left, he sidestepped the incoming strike and immediately struck downwards with his sword in a blur of speed. Infineon turned with Morgoth and brought the capped end of Artemis up with his left hand to block the fast attack as it landed. Morgoth kept moving to Infineon's left after the strike, so Infineon continued to turn his torso to try and keep the dark elf in his vision at least. After only an instant, Infineon realised that something was wrong, as he could not see the distinctive glint of Morgoth's weapon which should have returned to a guard position after Infineon had blocked his earlier attack [Quickened Mind]. Reacting instinctively, continued the blocking motion around with his left hand and brought his right hand back across in front of himself awkwardly to stick the pointed end of Artemis in the ground to the left of his legs, hoping that with the blade and haft combined it would blindly defend enough of his side that he would have time to disengage.

Almost the second the point of Artemis bit the dirt, Infineon felt an impact on the shaft of the weapon, and a slight gash of pain as the sharp edge of Morgoth's blade cut into the padded leather pants he was wearing and opened a gash on Infineon's leg. His blind parry had taken most of the force away, and his armour took most of the rest of the damage, but the blade still managed to reach skin, leaving what was an irritating but not serious cut.

Continuing his rotation, Infineon lifted his right leg towards his chest and spun on his left leg, wincing as it put weight on his just-injured leg. Using his grasp on the grounded Artemis to increase the speed of his rotation, Infineon brought first his torso and then his hips around to follow Morgoth's motion, even as he would be drawing his sword back from his last strike. Using his spinning force and the close proximity to assist him, Infineon lashed outwards with a kick from his bent right leg, aiming for the center of Morgoth's chest plate. Wearing leather as he was, the impact would be lessened somewhat, but would probably still leave him winded. However, damage was not the aim for Infineon here, as even as he had turned he had been casting, and [Air Burst] was now ready. If the kick connected, it would also release a huge rush of wind, hurling Morgoth backwards down the riverbank and probably into the river that was a short distance away, and in line with the kick. If hit where intended, Infineon figured the force would also be applied high on the body, and thus would make the fall a head first fall, hopefully dragging the shoulders and arms back and reducing the possibility for a counter strike.

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:32 amPosts: 485Location: The eye of every storm in this game apparently.

I'm sorry about my recent inactivity, I may soon be homeless and Have been dealing with a lot of personal issues. It's a complicated situation I'm not comfortable sharing but I am still interested and LeBoy can bite me (if he knew the half of it he wouldn't be giving me shit XD

His response was as swift as his first, He opponent ascending into the air was no more that what Morgoth expected of Infineon. His opponents quick mind is what drew him to this contract in the first place. As well as the chance to really put his current level of advancement to a true test. All that could be coming was magic, so pushing of Infineon's pole arm Morgoth combat rolled under his opponent. Half way through his roll he felt the spell he'd feared collide with his back. Morgoth flattened against the ground winded.

His plan only partially worked, and so he pushed himself up. Wiping the tears that came to his mind. Hid chest and back ached from the impact with the ground but he couldn't let that phase him. Morgoth slowed his breathing to bring himself back into equlibrium and swung his sword up in a glancing blow at Infineon's back. Hoping his good fortune would continue, and he'd strike another decisive blow that in turn would wind his opponent if nothing else.

“You've improved friend, I missed this sparring and hope we'll see each other again. It'd be fun to see each other in another few years,” he was sincere in his response even with his snicker. He really did enjoy testing himself against this rival. An equally ambition elf, someone with his drive but and completely different set of skills. One's he couldn't test against anywhere else. Morgoth really had grown fond of the caster and detested this bitter task. But, he knew he couldn't take on the witch without more power. That strength jewel the elf was guarding would be what he'd need to break the witch. The same way he'd had to run from Joshua. That man wasn't natural and that's the kind of power he'd need. The unnatural speed, wasn't a guarantee of victory.

_________________A perfect storm of action and reaction no thought no will can stop his dream.Myrie, of the night

By the time Infineon’s leg extended in a vicious kick, his opponent was already rolling away. Infineon’s foot made brief contact with Morgoth’s back as he rolled away to Infineon’s left, not inflicting any real damage, but allowing Air Burst to go off. Unfortunately, instead of projecting his opponent away down the slope, the spell forced his opponent out of his roll and shoved him bodily into the ground instead. Still immensely wary of his opponent’s speed, Infineon turned with the kick, following the direction of Morgoth’s roll. It was fortunate that he did so, as a moment after Morgoth hit the dirt, he slashed behind him at what would have been Infineon’s back had he stayed facing forwards.

Fortunately, Infineon was now wary to the sheer agility that Morgoth could employ, and was ready and waiting for the backhanded strike. From the awkward position on the ground that the strike was projected from, the strike lacked most of the power of the earlier two strikes, but the speed of the strike was still there. Nonetheless, being prepared for it, Infineon easily parried the strike to the left by striking the blade of Morgoth’s weapon with the inside of Artemis’s blade while skipping back a step, opening some space to move between himself and the grounded Morgoth.

Shifting his hands further down the haft of Artemis even as he blocked the strike, Infineon extended his striking range to put Morgoth’s sword at a disadvantage. Then, as the blade of Artemis passed to his left while it was still parrying his opponent’s sword, Infineon turned the blade back to face his opponent and grunted in exertion as he slashed back to the right, his blade aimed in a horizontal slash that aimed to carve into Morgoth’s chest no matter which way he rolled from his position on the ground. Here the reach of Infineon’s weapon came into its own, as while from where he was Morgoth could only just reach him with a long thrust, Artemis could reach any part of him with a foot of space to spare. This is where Infineon knew he would have to keep the battle if he had a chance of staying out of reach of Morgoth’s vicious weapon.

“You've improved friend, I missed this sparring and hope we'll see each other again. It'd be fun to see each other in another few years,”

Among the commotion of their fight, their breathless conversation continued. Even as he slashed at Morgoth’s chest in a potentially lethal strike, Infineon continued to call on Morgoth to cease his attempts to put his life at risk for no reason. He really had no desire for this pointless fight to continue, but while his opponent continued to be a threat, Infineon would be sure to fight to the last.

“I too enjoyed our sparring and training back when we were comrades, Morgoth. It makes me sad to think that if you keep up your efforts to steal whatever it is that this merchant has entrusted to me, there might not be a chance for us to meet again. I would hate to have to kill you…”--------------------------------Infineon is basically at the extreme range of your weapon, 1.5-2m awayLevitas continues to circle out of sightStress: 1 (2/4)Air Burst: 1/2

_________________

"Little solace comes to those who grieve/When thoughts keep drifting, when walls keep shifting/And this great blue world of ours seems like a house of leaves/Moments before the wind." ~House of Leaves

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:32 amPosts: 485Location: The eye of every storm in this game apparently.

With a sign the drow tilt his body in an awkward and uncomfortable manor. Pulling his arm back and wide of the elves weapon he left his arm resting far to his left. Breathing in to compact his opponents target and rolling his chest right with the strike. His opponents blow sheering off his left side and biting about and inch into the drow's hip. With a few choice curses the drow bit his lip and drew himself up into a defensive pose. Carefully waiting himself on his right side now, and still grimacing in pain. The glare he leveled at the other elf had none of the trust or comradery his eye's once held. It was a dark angrier place Morgoth had reserve and damn his father to.

This elf had made a fool of him again, he was so tired of failing his mate. She couldn't be disappointed again, he couldn't lose the last good thing in his world. He gradually tried to advance a step limping slightly as he did so. He knew his jewel couldn't be much help now unless he was more careful. The step was more of a probe then anything else. His chance to flee was slim but if he could cut another hole in the elf they might be more evenly matched. Unfortunately at the far reach of his shorter katana and in the middle of the clearing morgoth knew he had lost some of his surprise.

This won't be forgotten, I doubt I can win but I can make this equally painful. Unless you truly seek a more amicable end. In which case hand of the chest and we'll be done this day._____________________________In his current state Morgoth moved the distant roughly to 1-1.5 in his shambling steps. He's in rough shape with a gash in his left his roughly an inch in diameter and two and a half inches in length.

_________________A perfect storm of action and reaction no thought no will can stop his dream.Myrie, of the night

Infineon felt rather than really saw what his opponent did. Even as the blade of Artemis swept down towards his torso, Morgoth twisted in a convoluted fashion and almost rolled away from the strike. However, quick as he was, he could not escape the strike completely, and Infineon felt the strike hit home. Cursing, the drow regained his feet carefully, looking at Infineon with a look of sheer anger that signalled above all that this fight was truly on; the drow was angered now, and he was making this happen, no matter the cost.

“This won't be forgotten, I doubt I can win but I can make this equally painful. Unless you truly seek a more amicable end. In which case hand of the chest and we'll be done this day.”

Infineon smiled sadly at his opponent as his only response. This was going to be a long battle, and not one which Infineon would enjoy. As he spoke, the drow moved carefully forwards, not making any aggressive moves. Knowing that he would have something up his sleeve if Infineon went in for a standard attack, Infineon took a step back in kind, maintaining his distance from the drow; Artemis held out forwards towards the chest of his opponent. As his opponent took a second step towards him however, Infineon stepped forwards and feinted at his opponent, the blade of Artemis swinging back as if Infineon was going to strike, but then swinging up and in front of Morgoth’s face as a silent Levitas swept down from the sky from directly behind Morgoth to strike at the back of his neck.

--------------------Levitas had been circling the clearing for a long while now, and had been frustrated by her inability to fight thus far. With the fight now in the middle of the clearing and the sun behind her opponent, now was her chance. Infineon had realized it too, and had signified with his stance that she should attack now. Swinging his blade up in front of his opponents face forced them to deal with the threat his weapon presented, which usually left Levitas with impunity to strike, especially now that with the setting sun behind her back, there was a very low chance of Infineon’s opponent would have seen her coming without blinding himself by staring into the sun. Flying down in a swooping dive, Levitas extended her talons and swooped down towards Morgoth’s unprotected neck, just the blade of Artemis would be swinging up in front of his vision.

---------------------Infineon is still about 1-1.5m away, and Artemis will settle back into a defensive guard after it passes in front of youLevitas is striking as describedStress: 1 (3/4)Air Burst: 1/2

_________________

"Little solace comes to those who grieve/When thoughts keep drifting, when walls keep shifting/And this great blue world of ours seems like a house of leaves/Moments before the wind." ~House of Leaves

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:32 amPosts: 485Location: The eye of every storm in this game apparently.

Infineon had leveled his weapon at morgoth's face, the still air had been disturbed. Morgoth knew Infineon's familiar wasn't one to sit idle by when a fight was a foot. He slapped his foe's bladed weapon aside, setting his feet and pushing almost diving backward. He let his momentum carry him. He rolled to his feet grunting with the pain of using his left leg. He took his blade a cut a strip from his tunic, Binding his waist with a strip of cloth like a belt keeping pressure on his wound. Looking up he saw an owl diving toward his previous position.

Morgoth sighed he hadn't wanted a retreat he was in no condition to rush and he couldn't run on his leg either. This position left him vulnerable but not as badly as staying just outside his own range. This would force Infineon to cast or to rush him, and at almost three meters the caster would have to choose a path. With that distance between them and the river to his far left and the forest to his far right he'd have options still. Leaning on his left he kicked up a rock at his feet taunting his foe. The rock wouldn't really hurt being kicked at Infineon's chest and challenge his next actions carefully.

Morgoth leveled his sword across his chest from left the right one hand low and one high on the hilt in a defensive posture. Evening out his breathing and clearing his mind. He knew he'd have to choose, now it was fight and if he was willing to lose his friend or his pride.

_________________A perfect storm of action and reaction no thought no will can stop his dream.Myrie, of the night

Intuition seeming to guide the actions of his opponent, the feint was completely ignored; Morgoth stepping out of the way of Infineon's feathered companion just before she would have made impact. Making no attempts to attack, Morgoth skipped backwards out of immediate harm, wrapping a rag of cloth around his wound to staunch the flow of blood. Content with the distance between them, Infineon also composed himself, returning naturally to his natural defensive state, the blade of Artemis leveled unwaveringly towards Morgoth's lower torso, ready to impale him if he rushed forwards with his speed.

From his defensive position, Morgoth kicked a stone at Infineon. His eyebrow raising at the weak nature of the attack, Infineon gripped the edge of his cloak with his left hand and flung that side of his cloak out as the rock drew near, the taunt fabric carrying the rock away from his body to fall on the ground. Trying one last time to convince his old comrade to stop this fight, Infineon spoke once more.

"It would be no shame on you to stop this fight now. You've put up a staunch fight in your efforts, but you must see by now that no matter what item you're trying to take, it isn't worth risking your life like this..."

To accentuate his point, through his speech Infineon had been once more calling on the invisible strands of power that flowed through him, releasing them suddenly in a sudden burst from the blade of Artemis[Mach Gust used]. The stream of air burst forth from the tip of the blade, streaking across the field in the blink of an eye towards Morgoth's lower gut, aiming to deal a winding blow to the wounded swordsman. Hopefully it would dissuade him from fighting on...----------------------Infineon remains at the same 3-3.5m distance from you as he was at the end of your post.Stress: 0 (4/4)Mach Gust: 3/4Air Burst: 1/2

_________________

"Little solace comes to those who grieve/When thoughts keep drifting, when walls keep shifting/And this great blue world of ours seems like a house of leaves/Moments before the wind." ~House of Leaves